Charleston Bound, part 2

Mags,

Good luck with surgery tomorrow, and an easy uneventful recovery.

Love your posts and your optimism despite your extra hardships. Helps so much having a doc who cares so much about patients to get you through.

Ketch-have a safe journey! Hope everything goes well in Charleston/Mt. Pleasant this week. I'm scheduled for surgery (2b or 3 depending on how you count) on the 18th and like you hoping it's my last. Take care.

Sandi

got my next date...march 5th..my 1 yr assaversary from my gap flap...sorry hope I did not offend

Dr M said my bottom was better than expected with no residual of the pseudo bursa left. She was so pleasantly surprised and said she has no doubt that she will get the result we hope for! HOORAY. Living in FL it is always bathing suit season so I was worried when she said it would most likely never be the same. My right cheek looks 25yrs younger right now but she will get me there maybe before summer's end.

I booked 3 dates with her and will cancel the last one if we can get satisfaction with only 2 more tweaks. 1 drain is out and other one in hip should be out next week. She just makes me keep it a bit as we just have that kind of relationship...you know...the one where she doesn't trust me HA

Maggie

yes Marty...I was so sorry that I could not meet you...I slept all day on Friday...just could not get my bearings straight. We did manage to meet my sister for dinner...we just walked over to Gilligan's. I was yummy but I could hardly eat much and am still struggling with appetite...good for the waist not the recovery. Next year Dr M is only doing preops on mondays (per Becky) with my surgery being on a Tuesday. I bet the weather is spectacular in March there!

Maggie

Happy to hear that all tge surgeries are going well. Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays.

I reluctantly admit I'm not very pleased with my stage 2. There was apparently a lot of scar tissue and the result wasn't so great. I had full D/double D before mx We were going got full C or D. I got B.

They're not symmetrical and I cried when I went bra shopping today. Am I expecting too much? Dr. Kline said we can fat graft but that still has a 50/50 chance of the fat dying and apparently I had fat necrosis before so I'm afraid the grafting wouldn't be worth it. I feel like I was misled a bit. Or maybe my expectations aren't realistic.

Pink, LE is about the same. Still flares up at times and still have the waves under my arms into my back. I am hoping this surgery will be the last and make the LE better.

MartyJ, any place to go see Christmas lights and such that you can recommend. We are staying a few days and I am hopeful I feel like going and doing some stuff.

Lipo, fat graft & tummy tuck (another) this time. Hope it is the last.

Oh good...I can definitely car ride or hope I can. Surgery is Friday, pre-op Thursday (we will leave the upstate that morning), staying at the retirement place (name escapes me at the moment). We stayed there last time and it was adequate. My mother, whose about the age of the residents, loved it and she has her a pattern where she can drive without getting out on the highway (17), so that works for us. You know, if mama's happy, everyone is!

My husband is going as well. He will be doing most of the driving, but mama likes to shop a bit, so she found her a path without getting out on 17! Do you know the name of the thrift/consignment store that is near the Homewood? Someone mentioned it before & I never figured out where it was....she'll want to go there ......and will tell me that going with her and walking will be good for me..... I hate to shop, but she used that the other times with me! I did agree to the Bed, Bath & Beyond visit at the shopping center before...dragging (not literally) those *&%(* drain tubes with me!!

Ketch, Best to you on surgery this week and that it also helps resolve LE!

Enjoy the holiday lights at James Island. Last year I went pre-surgery and we drove through then walked the paved paths through lights in park on a warm beautiful night. This year went post surgery and drove through then we rode train inside park because I wasnt up to that much walking. It was 85 that day and a Monday night and no crowds.

Crs319,

I feel for you because after my Stage 2, I too, went bra shopping. Went to Kohls and tried on a dozen bras and tears rolling because nothing came close to fitting.

I realize now that it was too soon to try on new bras and that breasts needed to settle. Eventually I was able to wear a Genie bra but a "real" bra still not for me. My radiation damage, scarring, and prior failed implants is pretty severe so Dr Kline has his work cut out for him. I had hoped it would just be three flap related surgeries but it looks like I will end up with 7 ending in July 2015.

Please be honest and open with Dr Kline and Kim and tell them you are disappointed and why. Unfortunately it may mean more surgery. Did he say it possible to gain another cup size by fat grafting? I had surgery on Nov 10 and was told I was first patient he used new lipo and fat grafting equipment on and how much easier and more fat he could get. I only wore compression 3 days and while I did have swelling, my thighs and love handle spot are smooth and no lumpiness from lipo.

Did you ever discuss stacked flaps with him? I dont ever hear of him suggesting adding little implants to gain size like other docs.

I have not had any fat necrosis. Does this reduce size of breasts?

Hang in there. ((Hugs))

crs,

So glad you have worked out a plan. I hate being so lopsided as well. Dr. K did tell me we could try a small implant if I wanted to. It may be an option for you as well. My stage 2 is in January and I don't really know what to expect. You ladies on this board are the only ones that seem to understand what we all go thru.

Bless all of you.

Good morning ladies. Back from my whirlwind of a trip and just checking in. Ketch good luck on your surgery, glad you have plans to enjoy the city during the holidays, it must be beautiful there now. Love Sunny's consignment, clothes are in such great shape and name brands. CRS, I am so sorry you are feeling this way and I agree with what both Catie and Pink have said. I think that we have all felt this way at one time or another. Just remember this is a process, albeit a sometimes long process, and we all just want to be done. You will get there, and remember we all have a different view of what "done" is and some of us just say "good enough". No doubt these surgeries take a toll on us. What helped me was looking at the progression of my photos and to see how far I actually had come. Bra shopping is the worst...I am like Pink and still love the Genie. I am usually in active type/fitness clothing so I go for the comfort. I am glad you called the office and discussed your concerns, they really do want you to be happy with your outcome. I sure do miss all of them!

First Christmas without the kids home, so just husband and I,going to be quiet. Hoping it snows some more (did I just say that?!)so we can spend the time skiing, missed out on it last year due to surgeries. It's the only thing that gets me through our long winters, that and a good book.

Sewanee, did you have another surgery? How are you?

lbrewer,

The night before my last surgery in October, my husband and I stayed at the Hampton Inn on the corner of the IOP connector and Hwy 17. Their medical rate was $99. It was nice for one night, but they don't offer the complimentary dinners if you like that option. I've always paid $119 for the medical rate at Homewood, so I was surprised when I heard that you got $89.

Take care, Beth

Lbrewer,

I stayed at Comfort Suites on Isle of Palms connector. They have same breakfast as Hampton Inns.

The medical rate is $63 per night! Very Close to hospital and close to beach and Town Center. Walk to nice restaurant, etc. Make sure to ask for East Cooper hospital medical rate.

Wow Pink, a year already? So happy that you are a success story. I wear a sleeve too when I fly and sometimes when I work out. Precautionary mostly.

Re: Homewood, I always paid $119

Hope everyone is staying warm.